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With your indulgence, I'd like to share a few thoughts as the election grinds on around us against a backdrop of anxiety and consternation that's ripping through the democratic world we have known all our lives and largely taken for granted. Here in Australia, our governments have often left us frustrated, even angry, but I think largely we've just always assumed that the fundamental principles underpinning our democracy and protecting our way of life would remain sound. The ABC has always been there for us as a part of that bedrock. We've seen it attacked time and again, particularly since the Howard years, but although it's been knocked around, and suffered savage funding cuts it's always emerged to repair and rebuild. In these crazy times we can't assume that any more. In Trump's America we're watching an unprecedented savage assault on mainstream media including public broadcasting, along with the judicial system and other democratic institutions. In our country, when the role of strong public broadcasting in this age of misinformation and political manipulation is demonstrably more important than at any other time in our history, the ABC is under attack again. We can no longer make any assumptions about its long-term survival. The ABC has never been able to count on bi-partisan political support, and those conservatives who irrationally see the ABC as their enemy are lining up again. There's talk of more "efficiency" inquiries and more funding cuts. Again. And the Murdoch media is also on the attack in lockstep. Again. That's why we're launching our biggest grassroots campaign of support in ABC history, targeting key election battlegrounds, putting the pressure on all political candidates to declare their position on the ABC. The election is now in full swing. The clock is ticking. Your donation today will help protect and preserve Australia's most trusted public institution. I cannot imagine Australia without the ABC. Your practical support right now will help guarantee that the unthinkable doesn't happen here. I've recorded a short video to explain why this fight matters so much - please take a moment to watch it. 
In Solidarity Kerry O'Brien ABC Friends
https://www.abcfriends.net.au/ | 
